I pledge my head to clearer thinking

My heart to greater loyalty

My hands to larger service

And my health to better living

For my club, my community, my country and my world.

This is the pledge of the boys and girls who are members of the Manning 4-H clubs. In 1932 Mrs. John Kruse organized a club for girls but it failed to hold enthusiasm and the club was dropped. It wasn't until 1946 that another attempt was made to organize. Mrs. Otto Popp was the leader and Mrs. Ralph Struve co-leader and the club was named Cadets. Mrs. Grant Fredricksen became leader of the group in 1947 with 21 members and more girls anxious to join. It was decided to divide into two separate clubs with Highway 141 the dividing line. The girls on the north side kept the name Cadets and the gavel; the girls on the south side kept the leader and chose the name Clovers because it was a symbol of 4-H and similar to the Cadets. Elections were held and a double installation ceremony was held October 8, 1947. This was the official beginning of the Manning Cadets and Clovers.

Mrs. Grant Fredricksen was their first leader. August Nulle, grandfather of one of the members, carved a walnut gavel for them which is still in use. Charter members were Marilyn Popp, Phyllis Jensen, Alice Ahrendsen, Margene Drees, Darlene Lamp, Marlene Nulle and Charlene Witt. Mrs. Raymond Grimm and Mrs. LeRoy Brus were the first co-leaders. When Mrs. Fredricksen moved away in 1954, Mrs. Lorenz Ahrendsen became leader and has been ever since with the following helpers: Mrs. Nelson Christensen, Mrs. Donald Beck, Mrs. Carl Borkowski, Mrs. Harry Fischer, Mrs. Clarus Heithoff, Mrs. Walter Felker, Mrs. Chas. Brotherton, Mrs. Roy Struve, and now Mrs. Philip Myer and Mrs. Ronald Hansen are co-leaders with 21 members enrolled.

The charter members of the new Cadets were Marilyn Grau, Lois and Luanne Hinners, Waldean Jackson, Patty and Mary Ann Kasperbauer, Genelle Kruse, Jane Opperman, Myra Schroeder, Joleen Klocke and Ruth Schmidt. Mrs. Emil Opperman and Mrs. Julius Schroeder were the leaders in 1947-48. In 1949 Mrs. Virgil Genzen and Mrs. Albert Klocke became the leaders. Mrs. Klocke was a loyal leader for 17 years and Mrs. Genzen is still leader after 31 years. Later co-leaders were Margaret Kasperbauer, Pat Drees, Ruth Mork, Joan Phillips, Rita Zerwas and the last years Arlene Mohr and Betty Andresen.

In 1972 the Cadets again were averaging forty or more members so they divided with girls in grades 4 to 8 as the Junior Cadets and grades 9 through 12 forming the Senior Cadets. Their leaders were Helena Tank, Phyllis Opperman, and Becky Venner. Present leaders are Karen Vollstedt, Paula Genzen and Deanna Joens. The rest of the Senior members serve as Junior leaders for the Junior club. These girls are Lynna and Lesia Andresen, Tonya Joens, Kathy Vollstedt, Becky Mohr, Diane Rohe, Rhonda Opperman, Mary Drees, Renee Sporrer, Julie Siepker and Sherri Muhlbauer.

1931 was the beginning of the Manning Boys' 4-H club. John Kruse was the leader. Mr. Bruck of the Manning Creamery had organized a Dairy Club in 1926. AI Jacobson worked with this group and they had Manning Calf Shows for the youth but 1931 was the first year it was organized as a 4-H club. In 1935 Harold Hassler became the leader and they sponsored a contest to find a name. The winning name, Win or Grin, was submitted by June Nickum.

That year, 1939, Glen Struve was elected State 4-H Treasurer. That year he also won the championship with his calf at the Ak-Sar-Ben. It weighed 900 pounds and was purchased by the Fontanelle Hotel for $165. In '39 Ralph Struve and Wm. Campbell became leaders and served until 1946, when Glen Struve took over. Glen served as leader and then Committeeman for 25 years. Other club leaders have been Eugene Mc Collum, Lyle Gross, Russell Mohr, Gary Schroeder, and now the leaders are Larry Genzen and Jim Venner. The Win or Grin club has consistently been one of the largest Agricultural 4-H clubs in Iowa with membership of 70 to 80 boys and girls and can be extremely proud of their achievements.

These 4-H clubs have had well over a thousand Manning boys and girls benefit from the experience of 4-H training. Each year they have had exhibits at the local, county, and state fairs as well

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Leaders of Manning's 4-H clubs include, back, Betty Andresen, Larry Genzen, Florence Genzen and Arlene Mohr; front, Janet Myer, Ruth Ahrendsen, and Karen Hansen. Absent fo the picture was Jim Venner.

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as at Spencer, Ak-Sar-Ben, Cattle Congress and other counties. They have taken part in demonstrations, style and fashion reviews, county camps, leadership camps and National Citizenship trips to Washington, D.C. Two members, Karen Vollstedt and Paula Genzen, won a trip, in 1979, to the National Club Congress in Chicago.

The members have had the experience of serving as club and council officers and they have grown from each honor whether it was large or small. They have certainly lived their motto: "To make the best better."

In April 1948 a group of ladies living about five miles southeast of Manning met for the first time with Ella Fledderman and organized The Friendly Neighbor Club. The purpose was to provide regular social gatherings and to study the family living program provided by the Farm Bureau. Charter members were Lucille Brus, Jessie Bushman, Ella Fledderman, Ila Grimm, Sally Heithoff, Ann Hugeback, Amanda Lamp, Amelia Lamp, Minnie Lamp, Phyllis Lamp, Emma Musfeldt, Catherine Risselman and Clara Ullerich. The first president was Amanda Lamp; vice president, Amelia Lamp; treasurer, Ella Fledderman; music chairman, Clara Ullerich; library chairman, Ila Grimm; and school chairman, Lucille Brus.

Four of the charter members are still active in the club. Throughout the years they have had a variety of programs including 4-H demonstrations, flower shows, circus parties, family parties and picnics. They have also contributed to many charitable organizations and various fund drives. No longer are they a part of the family living program but still meet once a month in the homes of the members and have a variety of programs. The present membership is twelve.

Manning Girls Scouts had its beginning about 30 years ago with mothers having individual scout troops. In 1962 all troups joined the Lakota Council in Ft. Dodge with Ellen Flaherty as advisor. Leaders were Patricia Sibbel, Shirley Weis, Melba Fischer, Millicent Wiese and Dorothy Arp. The girls began having day camps, learning outdoor cooking and crafts.

In 1966-70, Millicent Wiese and Dorothy Arp served on the Lakota Scout Board of Directors and on the program committee planning trips and activities for the scouts in this area. 1967 saw the opening of Lakota Camp and scouts from Manning attended and helped dedicate the wildlife sanctuary to honor Scout Lou Henry Hoover. During that summer Lakota Council sponsored the first heritage trip throughout southwest Iowa. Manning leaders with their troups took part in this trip and the next summer they traveled to the Black Hills.

Highlights of the Senior Scouts were trips to their Cabana Home in Cuernavaca, Mexico. The first trip was made in November, 1970 with leaders Millicent W iese and Dorothy Arp. I n 1972 several girls from this area joined the Carroll group for another trip to their Mexican home. In 1975 leaders Jean Arp, Norma Hagedorn and Dorothy Arp took the troup on its third trip to Mexico. Again in 1978 the group with counselors Lila Schroder and Betty Opperman made the trip. The scouts are planning another trip in November of 1980 with leaders Laura Joens, Sandra Hass and Barb Handlos. The trips are spent visiting Mexico City, going into the countryside observing and studying country life, culture, history and participating in service projects in the poverty areas of Mexico. During the years the girls work at various jobs, selling cookies and having spaghetti suppers making money to finance these trips.

A second highlight was a Scout Exchange program. In 1974 three girls from New Jersey stayed with scout families in the Manning area and in 1975 another exchange was made possible with girls from Utah.

The scout groups are supported by many Manning clubs including the Community Chest. The leaders are to be commended for doing such a splendid job of guiding the troops in their various activities and projects. Present leaders are Virginia Stoberl, Sandra Hass, Barb Handlos and Laura Joens.

Before the fire bell was mounted on the water tank, the big steam whistle on the Doud Mill was used as a fire alarm. It served as a noon whistle also. "Doc" Ploen, an employee, became adept enough to play a few bars of "Home Sweet Home" on it occasionally.